Bed-sunner and clothes-drier.



No. 738,924. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

y K. 0. MOORE.

BED SUNNER AND CLOTHES DRIER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

.HHWW

UNITED STATES iatented September 15, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

BED-SUNNER AND-CLOTHES- DRIER.

'SPIECIFIGATION foriningpart of Letters Patent No. 738,924, dated September 15, 1903. Application filed November 10 1902. Serial No. 130,700. (No inOdeL) T0 aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that L KlNGMAN COLQUITT MOORE, a citizen of'the United States, residing at Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have invented a certain new and useful Bed-Sunner and Clothes-Drier; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to'which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates. to clothes-driers of that type designed for supporting bedding, mattresses, clothing, and other articles outside of but within convenient reach of a window forthe purpose of sunning, airing, or. drying them. 4

The principal object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple and convenient apparatus of this character having a comparatively large supporting capacity, but adapted to be put out and withdrawn readily through the window, as well as to be easily mounted or attached in place and taken down again and'capable of being folded in compact form when not in use.

With this and certain minor objects in view the invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and will then be pointed out more particularly in the annexed claims.

In said drawings, in which corresponding parts in the different figures are indicated by the same symbols of reference, Figure l is a perspective view of a bed and clothes sunning, airing, and drying apparatus embodying my invention attached to the outside of a window, said device comprising in this instance a main horizontally-disposed supporting-frame or window-scaffold and a detachable auxiliary frame or rack attachment mounted upright thereon. Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view showing the apparatus when being put out or withdrawn through the window. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the brackets or an gle-irons at the outer end of the main frame for fastening to, the suspension ropes or cables and for attachment of the auxiliary frame or rack attachment. Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of one of the devices for preventing folding of the apparatus in use. Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal vertical section thereof, showing a slight modification of said device. Fig. 6 is a detail bottom perspective view of one of the hinged joints of the cross-bars of the main frame. Fig. 7 is a'front elevation of a modified form of auxiliary frame or rack attachment. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of bracket or angle-iron. Fig. 9' is a detail perspective view of an iron on the auxiliary frame shown in Fig. 7

adapted to fasten on the iron' shown in Fig. 8 for attaching said auxiliary frame. Fig. 10 is 'adetail view of one of the brackets for holding a bar or rod at the upper front of the window, from which a number of clotheslines extendto various parts of the apparatus; and Fig. 11 is a detail view of a device which may be used in some instances for holding the inner ends of the principal bars of the main frame rigidly apart after they are placed in the window-ledge.

The main frame consists of a series of parallel bars or slats-arranged, preferably, at equal distances apart, and two or-more parallel and foldable cross-bars, which are pivotally fastened to said bars or slats and each of which com prises two separate parts hinged or pivotally joined at adjacent ends to fold upon each other in a plane parallel with and immediately adjacent to the plane of said bars or slats.

In the drawings the letter A indicates two intermediatebars, which are the principal ones of the'series, located, preferably, at equal distances at opposite sides of the central hinged joints of the cross-bars. .B denotes the remaining bars or slats, arranged between and at the outer sides of the bars A, and C designates the foldable cross-bars. The crossbars are shown fastened to the longitudinal bars or slats by loose screw-bolts, with washers interposed between said bars. (See Fig. 5.) The bars or slats A and B are preferably secured to the cross-bars edgewise, or was to rest on their thinner sides, as shown, to increase the strength of the frame and permit it to be folded into more compact form when notin use.

The bars A are comparatively stout and heavy, being designed to receive the whole weight of the apparatus, with the bedding, clothing, and other articles supported thereby, while the remaining bars or slats are lighter, so as to reduce the weight of the apparatus. The inner ends of the bars A preferably extend beyond the others, and when the apparatus is attached in place they rest within the window-frame, as shown in Fig. 1, while the outer ends of said bars are supported from the buildingor from the upper part of the window-frame by suitable suspension ropes or cables D. The distances between the bars A when the frame is open should therefore he no greater than the width of the window; but the entire width of the frametor the distance between its outermost bars may be considerably greater, thus providing a relatively large supporting capacity. The bars between the said bars A could of course be the same length as these bars A.

The cross-bars C are preferably foldable in only one direction, or toward the front or outer end of the frame, whereby when the frame is attached in place the parallel bars or slats A and B are prevented from folding together, though said cross bars may be hinged or joined to fold in either direction, and suitable devices may be employed for keeping them rigid and preventing folding of the frame in use. In the present construction the hinges E of the cross-bars are shown fastened to the front vertical sides of the latter, and one member of each hinge is formed with a lower horizontal flange or fiat projection e, as shown in Fig. 6, which projects under the central joint of the cross-bar and braces the hinge, taking a part of the weight from its pivot when the frame is open. The

hinges may, however, be of any suitable con-' struction and attached to the cross-bars in any suitable manner. The flange could project above as well as under the central joint or could be left off altogether.

In order to render the frame perfectly rigid and to insure absolutely against folding thereof when in use, I have provided suitable braces on the crossbar O nearer the window, adapted to act against the bars A and hold said cross-bar against pivotal movement with relation to said bars A. Said braces (shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5) consist of flat springs F, sunk flush with the upper side of the cross-bar, having their outer ends secured to said cross-bar and having their inner upwardly-sprung ends flaring or widened and formed with flanged extremitiesf, which bear tightly against the outer sides of the bars A when the frame is open, and thus prevent turning of the cross-bars and hold the frame rigid. When it is desired to fold the frame, the springs can be pressed down flush with the upper sides of the cross-bars, whereupon the bars A will slide over them. The flanges f of the springs may be cut away at their middle portions, as shown atf in Fig. at, to permit the springs to be pressed down flush with the cross-bar, or suitable cross-notches f maybe formed in the cross-bar, as shown in Fig. 5, to receive said flanges for the same purpose. As shown in Fig. 5, the sides of the bars A, against which the flangesfbear, are preferably beveled. While these springbraces constitute an advantageous feature of my invention, particularly when the crossbars are loosely hinged or pivotally joined at their centers, yet they are not essential, because when the cross-bars are hingedso as to fold only in one direction the frame when attached and suspended in place will itself tend to keep rigid.

The outer ends of the principal bars A are preferably provided with suitable brackets or angle-irons G for fastening to the suspension ropes or cables and also for attachment of the auxiliary frame when the latter is employed. These brackets or angle-irons, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, consist of horizontal members g, fastened to the ends of the bars, and front upstanding hollow or tubular members or sockets g,the latter being formed at their upper extremities with rearward ears or projections 9 having eyes or openings therein for attachment of the suspensionropes, which ropes are thus fastened to the frame in such manner as to permit utilization of its entire length for supporting mattresses and other articles thereon. The horizontal members g, as shown, consist of flat plates having rear sleeves g embracing the bars and front sockets 9 immediately beneath the upstanding hollow arms or sockets g", fitted on the extremities of said bars.

The auxiliary frame or rack attachment consists, preferably, of two uprights or verti- (ally-disposed bars H and an upper horizontal foldable cross-bar J, the latter comprising two substantially equal parts hinged at their middles or other intermediate points to the upper endsof the uprights H in such manner as to fold down against the inner orconfronting sides of said uprights and hinged or pivotally joined at adjacent ends to fold lengthwise one part upon another in the vertical plane of the uprights. The auxiliary frame maybe attached and detached from the main frame simply by inserting and withdrawing the lower end of the uprights into and from the upstanding sockets g. The horizontal cross-bar J of this auxiliary frame may be formed with a series of eyes or openings. A horizontal bar K, also provided with a similar series of eyes or openings, may rest in hooks on the inner sides of the window-frame (see Fig. 10) or be otherwise mounted across the upper part of the window, and endless ropes L may pass through the eyes or openings in said bars J and K, so that garments and other articles can be fastened to either run of the ropes by a person standing within the windew, and the other runs of the ropes can be pulled to draw out the runs of the ropes to which the garments are fastened. If preferred, one long rope may run back and forth between the eyelets or openings in the hori- IIO zontal bars. Suitable clothes-lines may also be strung between the window-frame and other parts of the apparatus.

The brackets or angle-irons G are shown of right-angle form, thus holding the auxiliary frame vertically upright; but in some instances it may be desirable to form these angle-irons obtusely, or with their upstanding members g forwardly inclined, so as to support the auxiliary frame in slanting position, thus making the upper clothes-lines longer and increasing the supporting capacity of the apparatus.

When attaching the main frame to the outside of awindow, the suspension-ropes being first properly connected, the frame may be partially or entirely folded to reduce its width sufficiently to allow it to pass through the window, and in this form the frame may readily be pushed out till the inner ends of the slats or bars B clear the window. The. frame can then be opened and the inner ends of the bars A allowed to rest back against the sill within the window-frame, which is all that is required, since the weight of the device and the manner of suspending it is sufficient to keep it in place. If the auxiliary frame or rack attachment is used, this can be attached to the main frame before the latter is put out the window, and when the main frame is folded or closed for insertion through the window the cross-barJof the auxiliary frame will also be folded so that its two parts stand upright. This obviates the necessity of attaching ordetaching the auxiliary frame after the main frame is out of the window and the brackets G out of reach.

The manner of inserting or withdrawing the whole apparatus through the window is illustrated in Fig. 2.

For shipment or storage the main frame may be completely folded and the auxiliary frame detached and folded, so that the two frames when folded and placed together will occupy very little room.

In place of the auxiliary frame or rack attachment described two devices such as shown in Fig. 7 may be employed, one being attached to the outer end of each bar A. These devices consist each of an upright or vertically-disposed bar M and bars or rods N and O, hinged, respectively, to'the upper and lower ends of said upright in such manner as to rest in horizontal position or extend outward when in use, but to fold lengthwise against the uprights when desired. Thus the upper bar N is hinged so as to fold down against the inner side of the upright, and the lower bar 0 is hinged so as to fold up against the outer side. When in use,-the bar N is swung up and over into horizontal position and is supported on the upper end of the upright, while the bar 0 is dropped down and is supported by abutment of its hinged end against the lower side of the upright. The lower end of the upright M of this modified device may extend farther down than shown to adapt it to fit in the'upstandin'g sockets g of one of the angle-irons g; but, as shown, said upright has attached thereto an iron P, (shown in detail in Fig. 9,) having a downwardly-diverging T-groove p in its rear face adapted to slide down over a correspondinglyformed T-shaped rib or projection g on the front face of a modified bracket or angle-iron Q, (shown in detail in Fig. 8,) adapted to be secured to the outer end of the bars A. If preferred, the bracket Q could be formed with a downwardly-converging groove and the iron P with a similarly-formed rib. The irons P and Q may be used in connection with the main frame and auxiliary frame first described, or any suitable devices may be employed in place of the devices described for attaching the auxiliary frame or frames.

The inner ends of the bars A may be held firmly apart when the frame is in use by means of a device R, consisting of a board having cross-pieces r attached near its ends to its lower side. After the frame is opened and the inner ends of the bars A fitted within the window-frame the board R is placed over said ends of the bars, and the cross-pieces r fit against their inner sides, and thus hold them apart. This device is not essential, however.

As before stated, the weight and mode of suspending the device is sufficient to keep it Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A bed-sunning and clothes-drying frame adapted to be supported in horizontal position at the outside of a window, said frame consisting of a series of parallel bars or slats and a number of parallel and centrally hinged or foldable cross bars pivotally fastened thereto; two of said bars or slats, at opposite sides of the hinges of the cross-bars, having their inner ends extending beyond the outer bars or slats to fit within the window and having their outer ends adapted for connection with suitable cables for suspending the device from the window-frame; substantially as described.

2. A sunning and drying frame of the character described consistingot' a series of parallel bars or slats and a number of parallel and centrally hinged or foldable cross-bars pivot-ally fastened thereto; two of said bars or slats, atopposite sides of the hinges of the cross-bars, having their outer ends adapted for connection to the suspension-cables and having'their inner ends extending beyond the outer bars or slats to fit within the window-' frame; and said cross-bars being foldable in a plane immediately adjacent and parallel with the plane of said series of bars or slats; substantially as described.

3. A sunning and drying frame of the character described consisting of a series of parallel bars or slats, and a number of parallel cross-bars pivotally fastened crosswise thereto, said cross-bars being centrally hinged to fold in a plane parallel with and immediately adjacent to the plane of said bars or slats, substantially as described.

4. A sunning and drying frame of the character described consisting of a number of parallel bars or slats arranged at substantially equal distances apart, and a number of parallel and centrally hinged or foldable crossbars pivotally fastened thereon, so as to permit said bars or slats to be folded together, said cross-bars being foldable only in one direction in a plane immediately adjacent and parallel with the plane of said bars or slats; substantially as described.

5. In combination with a foldable or adjustable sunning and drying frame adapted to be supported horizontally at the outside of a window, an auxiliary-rack attachment consisting of uprights mounted on the front or outer end of said frame and having members hinged thereto in such manner as to fold lengthwise against them, but to rest horizontally or extend laterally from said uprights when desired; substantially as described.

6. In combination with a foldable or adjustable frame adapted to be supported horizontally at the outside of a window, and consisting of a number of parallel bars or slats and a number of centrally hinged or foldable cross-bars pivotally fastened thereto, an auxiliary-rack attachment consisting of uprights mounted on the outerends of suitable bars of said frame and having hinged members adapted to fold lengthwise against said uprights but to rest horizontally or extend laterally therefrom when in use; substantially as described.

7. In combination with a foldable or adjustable sunning and drying frame adapted to be supported horizontally at the outside of a window, an auxiliary-rack attachment consisting of a pair of uprights mounted on the front or outer end of said frame and a centrally hinged or foldable cross-bar the parts of which are also hinged to said uprights to fold against the latter; substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a main frame comprising principally a pair of parallel bars, adapted to be supported with their inner ends in the windowframe, and a centrally hinged or foldable cross-bar, hereby said frame may be folded or the parallel bars brought together; in combination with an auxiliary-rack attachment consisting of uprights mounted on said parallel bars, and a centrally hinged or foldable horizontal cross-bar the parts of which are also hinged to said uprights so as to fold down lengthwise against them when the main frame is folded; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KINGMAN COLQUITT MOORE.

Witnesses:

JOEL H. GALT, ROBT. H. SIssoNs. 

